Melville 2021 "Terraces" Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills

The Terraces block sits on a sloped and terraced hillside, with each individual row receiving a direct hit
from the cold Pacific Ocean wind. Wrapping around Block M in a “peninsula” shape, the Terraces face varying directions - north, northwest, and due west – cascading down a steep terrain made of clay-rich loam with chunky calcareous shale soil. These facets create several different sun exposures, limited water holding capacity, and when combined with the freezing cold wind, lead to a naturally “devigorized” environment producing intense fruit. Planted in 1997 by Brent Melville and the vineyard crew, this small lot of only 4.9 acres is an interesting combination of two old-school California selections of Mt. Eden and Joseph Swan, plus three Dijon clones (115, 667 and 777). 60% whole cluster.